Graduation rates in local districts continue to rise

Thursday

Both Terrebonne and Lafourche school districts' 2017-18 graduation rates ranked in the top third of the state, according to figures released this week.

Terrebonne's graduation rate increased by 7.1 percentage points, ranking No. 7 in the state for growth. Its rate grew from 82.4 percent in 2016-17 to 89.5 percent in 2017-18.

Thanks to the steep increase, Terrebonne has the 26th-highest graduation rate of 71 school districts. Last year, it ranked 42.

"We won't be happy until it's 100 percent," said Terrebonne schools Superintendent Philip Martin. "But we've come a long way since we were in the mid-70s."

Lafourche was one of 10 school districts in the state to have more than 95 percent of its 2018 class graduate high school in four years after steadily rising since 2005.

On Tuesday, the Louisiana Department of Education announced that the 2018 class improved the state's graduation rate from 78.2 percent to 81.4 percent, 3.2 percentage points behind the national average.

The superintendents of Terrebonne and Lafourche attributed the local rates to the ongoing improvement of student learning at all grade levels, not just high school.

"We've got to keep in mind that our elementary schools and middle schools have been working with students and have had steady growth over the years," Lafourche Superintendent Louis Voiron said.

He said that growth at the lower levels builds on itself and creates students who are better prepared for high school.

Martin said the final walk across stage relies on the foundation set starting in pre-kindergarten.

"If any parts are missing along the way, it makes more obstacles in high school," he said.

While both superintendents said it has taken more than just one initiative, they said the expansion of the Jump Start program has helped students stay engaged.

As part of career and technical education, the Jump Start program creates pathways for students to enter specific careers after college.

Voiron said that's given some students more motivation to finish, especially since they're learning about something that suits their interests and talents.

"If they're achieving success then they're more motivated to continue their educational path," he said.

Martin said there are more options for both career and college focused students now.

The state also saw the graduation rate of African-American students jump up by about five percentage points, just barely surpassing the national average for the first time.

Terrebonne Parish School District saw its own African-American rate improve by about 10 percentage points from last year, moving from 78.4 percent to 88.6 percent.

"It just goes to show that we are serving all groups of kids well," said Martin. "It's hard to figure out what's the best piece of good news."

Martin said he's happy to see more students graduate with a diploma.

"It's a lifelong anchor without one," he said.

In Lafourche, where more than 95 percent of white students were already graduating, the class of 2018 saw graduation rates of both its American Indian and Hispanic students increase by 10 percentage points.

Voiron echoed Martin, stating the result shows that the school system's tracking system is working.

"I think the results of seeing increases in sub-groups is a result of working with all kids of the school district to be successful," he said.

Looking forward, Voiron said Lafourche will focus on maintaining the growth it has achieved now that it's surpassed 95 percent.

"We will strive to continue to grow where there's room," he said.

Martin said while the district is proud to see the outcomes continue to improve, there was obviously still at least 10 percent of students who didn't graduate.

As the 2018-19 school year comes to an end, he said the staff believe they're en route to have an even higher graduation rate. That data won't be released until next year.

"Our goal when kids begin school is to give them an education," he said. "It's gratifying and somewhat reassuring to know that we're succeeding with 89 percent."

Staff Writer Halle Parker can be reached at hparker@houmatoday.com or 857-2204. Follow her on Twitter, @_thehalparker.

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